Shopping and Consuming and being a cheapskate
Its been a while since I blogged and instead of waiting till I feel I have something clever to say, I’m just going to release myself into posting the random thoughts on my mind.
I just got back from a shopping trip to the local mall looking for a new hat for my little boy whose life seems one long growth spurt.
I hadn’t been mall shopping in a really long time and what was different this time is that I didn’t feel like looking. The usual stores didn’t hold their appeal and I walked by uninterested.
Now this could be because shopping is difficult with a toddler whose main interest is riding the escalators and elevators over and over again 
The main reason, however, I think is because a few months ago we disconnected our cable service and inherited a Roku Box from my friends. Because we now watch online tv we have been able to avoid commercials almost entirely. And it feels like a commercial free life is also one with limited consumption.
Commercials create and feed a desire to buy stuff and by avoiding them, I simply don’t have this hunger to own the biggest and best. I find myself interested in functionality and willing to pay a bit more to buy one high quality thing that will last me a long time.
Hmmm. Except for shoes. I can’t get myself to spend more than $20 on shoes so the Payless clearance is still on my list of stops. But even there its been more than a 6 months since I’ve made a stop. The cobblers in Kenya who re-sole my worn shoes for $4 a pair keep me happily marching in imitation leather.
Ah the joys of the cheapskate life.
I love this! It’s amazing how much of an impact advertising really does have.
On the back of this month’s Sunset magazine was an Amtrak ad. I showed it to my husband and told him that we had to get on the ball and take a train trip with our kids before we’re out of the window. If you’ve seen the ad, you’ll know that I played right into their hands. Sigh. I don’t want advertising to impact me, but it’s really hard to get away from it.
I’m glad to hear that Roku is serving you well! Miss you!